Apparently there are chip reader apps for cell phones, some of the reviews indicate they may not be 100% able to read all manufacturers’ chips, but perhaps better than nothing. As a former animal control officer, “check for a chip” is a default response when I find a lost animal. Collars with tags that have a phone number on them are a plus, but hard to keep them on some kitties. Dogs seem better about retaining collars (my neighbor’s dog being the exception that proves the rule…) “Do-gooders” like the ones who cat-napped Sophie, never cease to dumbfound me…
Totally understand your rant… please consider that some of us have working cats. Hard for the barn cats to do their rodent control job from inside the house. Our cats are neutered and microchipped and are part of our humane society’s feral barn cat placement program. These are otherwise unadoptable kitties. We are happy to give them some sort of security (secure place to sleep at night along with a secure food and water supply…) and it breaks our hearts when something happens to them, but I believe they really are happier having their freedom.
Sending good juju your way!